My sons

The last couple of days has seen me reflect on my gorgeous sons. One of the downsides of having so many children is the inevitable loss of time you have 2 try & give out evenly 2 all the kids individually. Alas I am terrible at that, Im more the "treat them as a unit" sort of person, untill something happens 2 remind me that 1 of them wants my undivided attention. Sad I no, but there is just not enuff hours in the day. I have 2 admit that most of my energy is focused on the girls at the moment, while AJ has taken charge of his sons.
But yesterday LJ came 2 me & gave me the biggest cuddle & kiss & held my hand as we walked around the mall. Now my son hardly ever does those sorts of things with me, especially in public. Sez hes 2 old, tho he cuddles his dad all the time. So 2 me thats a sign that he wants me 2 himself so we wandered off by ourselves. Liam is more a daddys boy, worships his dad & loves him 2 bits. They have had that connection from the day he was born. I find it frustrating sometimes but the love that these 2 share is very special & it warms me 2 c it. But it is also a boost when Liam shows that he needs mum sometimes 2. Hes also the family inventor, always on the lookout for things that he can turn in2 something else.
Ethan is growing in2 his own little terror. Liam was more the placid baby/toddler, more into doing things inside than outside. Ethan is just everywhere!! Just follow the trail of destruction & ull find him at the end of it. Hes more robust & luvs taking apart things, & if they dont come apart ez, he tries 2 smash them open. Sorta reminds me of the hulk. Always grubby as he also likes 2 dig in the dirt whenever possible or potter around in dads garage with him & 'explore'. Its almost impossible 2 keep him clean, & thats just at home. But then, at night just before he drifts off 2 sleep & hes clean & tired from his days escapades hes my little angel ready 2 rest up for all that he has 2 do the next day......
Nothing prepares a person for the intense rush that u feel when u become a parent. We are lucky enuff 2 have felt that 5 times.

Bye Bye Xmas, hello New Year

Its hard 2 believe that in a few short days, its gonna be the start of a whole new year! Wicked roll on 2006. Xmas day was a real quiet affair. We ended up going 2 my sisters 2 swim as the kids were so hot & bothered & they wanted 2 use their new beach towels that aunty Liane had sent them. We spent the night playing games & watching dvds before crashing out early in preperation for the shopping spree the next day. Every year I 4get that the boxing day sales r 4 every1 not just 4 us!! It was just as stressful as doing ure pressie shopping b4 xmas day. The kids really enjoyed it tho Andrew & I found it tedious after a coupla hours. Our kids are lethal with a few $$ in their pockets. Maddy was so funny dragging her dad 4rm shop 2 shop, & then when she ran out of money, she demanded that her dad give her more. Now the thing about AJ is that he hates malls. He will go 2 them if theres a purpose 2, otherwise he races me thru the mall & doesnt believe in browsing. Had no choice about it yesterday tho!!
No major plans 4 new years. With 5 kids its pretty impossible 2 go out & party. But we are considering leaving the brats with my sister new years eve & catching the ferry up the Brisbane River 2 southbank 2 watch the fireworks display & beachparty they have every year. Its just a matter of convincing my darling fiance 2 brave the inevitable large crowds. The other option is seeing in the new year with our friend, Jamil, at the bar in newmarket he works at. Will be a bit more acceptable 4 AJ I think.

Christmas Eve

A day of relaxing in the pool at my brothers place before all the busy-ness starts 2moro. We are spending the day at home with our children, spoiling them & spending quality time with them playing games etc.. after a hectic year. We have seen all family & friends & calling the rest 2moro in NZ but have decided 2 keep it all lowkey. Then we hit the stores on boxing day. In lieu of actual presents, the kids asked for money so that when we go 2 the sales that happen on boxing day, as we do, they can do some of their own shopping. That was fine with me & their dad, made things so stress free for us. So tomorrow they still get 2 open gifts sent from their gran & aunty L & other bits & pieces & get more pressies the next day. Lucky things

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL

Well weve sent out emails with our good tidings but we used the kodak sharecenter email service so AJ wanted it 2 go on our blog 2 b sure so here we are. Merry christmas everyone & have fun on the day, especially Isabella xxx, Jasper xxx & Patience xxx who are celebrating their 1st christmas. Lots of love 2 u all.

Talking about haircuts.....

this is my eldest sons new hair do. i was a bit sceptical at first but he actually looks pretty good dont ya rekon? he loves it & tho it was originally 4 photographic purposes only (AJ was supposed 2 get the same do but unfortunately Im not that good with the hairclippers) LJ loves his new look so will probly keep it 4 a while.
ps. Ethan got a trim & has a cute little fringe thats only a micro inch shorter but out of his eyes at least!!

HELP! i need a haircut

AJ & I are in the middle of a debate involving my sweet baby Ethan. I say he needs a haircut for obvious reasons (see above pics). His dad is refusing 2 let me, his reasons being that it will lose its colour like LJs hair did & its fine as it is. Honest it must be so annoying for my boy having it hanging in his face like that & im not even aloud 2 tie it up!! 'put hair gel in it' insists his dad. 'GROSS!' is his mums response. Fancy wanting 2 turn sweet smelling soft hair in2 a sticky hard mass. Its not like I want 2 give him a major cut or nething, just a tidy little fringe. Wish i had the guts 2 just go ahead & do it. Unfortunately AJs wrath is not worth it. You shouldve seen him when I recently trimmed Maddisyns hair for the 1st time in her life!! Mind u I did wait till he was away from home before doing it... & so the debate goes on.
Ethan has a real annoying habit at the mo. He loves throwing everything he can carry thru the bars on the back deck or off Maddys little balcony in her room, 2 the ground below. Usually if somethings not where we left it, the 1st place we check is outside. On Sat arvo, he decided that it was the handset for the portable phones turn 2 fly. & fly they did, smashing 2 the ground. So apologies 2 all who tried 2 ring from Sat thru till Mon. Hes also expanded his vocab. He can say Mum, Dadda, Shuddup, Katy, Aunta, Unca (uncle), bubba, & na (no) is the new 1, amongst all the normal baby babble.

Bye Bye guys xxx

Well its a bit of a bummer morning. Just dropped my bro & his family at the airport 2 go home. It was hard 2 see them go & I no we will miss them so much, especially my gorgeous nieces. Maddy was very upset last nite & this morn as her & Destiny were very close but she will get over it as theres not very much she can do. Made all of us very homesik tho....xcept AJ. Bye bye guys xxxxxxx